Recently, during a class on magick someone asked me what I consider the differences between black and white magick are. I could see the look of surprise in their eyes when I answered: None.

Somehow this wonderful gift has been categorized. The magick we practice is either good, white magick or bad, black magick. I don’t believe any magick to be white or black; it is only magick.

The idea that magick must fall into some predetermined category is a sad misconception. Somehow, we have allowed others to place their ideas of what magick is, or is not, upon us. Magick is simply a beautiful gift of wisdom, understanding and power.

There was a time in our history when all magick was honored and those who had these gifts were also honored. Yet over the centuries, and with the insertions of other religions, this changed. For a time, all forms of magick were looked upon as evil or black. If anyone believed you worked or practiced magick, you could -- and most probably would -- have been put to death.

Every Witch has the ability to call the powers that be, for all the possible reasons. In understanding that magick is as different as the stars in a night sky, we choose whether or not to use this gift for what we see as good or bad. I personally choose to work within the powers I believe are best for my spiritual journey and myself.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to speak with many Witches about their personal concepts and reasons for how they choose to work magick and ritual. Many choose to work within what is primarily considered to be good or acceptable magick because, it feels right within their own spirits.

Karma, The Three -Fold Law, and the Wiccan Rede, all reflect the belief in what most of us see as a natural law of “cause and effect.” My Great Grandmother called it, Circling Magick. That force of nature that brings all which is sent out back to its source. I’m sure most of us have heard the saying “what goes around, comes around.” Most likely first said, by a Witch.

Unfortunately, this marvelous concept has been taken, mixed with other religious ideas, and all but for a word, placed before us as some kind of ‘sin’. Complete with fear of retribution and severe punishment.

The ultimate gift we have received is now lost due to the fear of chastisement if we do anything, magick or ritual, outside of what someone else believes is right. Regrettably, this misunderstanding has caused some Witches to avoid working any magick for fear of reprisal if they transgress what is acceptable.

I am not saying that you have a right to go out and hex someone. Nor am I am saying you have the right to punish or wreak havoc in the world, just because you can. Witches use great care in how we work any magick, not out of fear of retribution, but simply because Witches do what is right, because it is right.

Most Witches are generally scholars of life, human nature, and people. We understand the daily problems of the mundane world are going to come and go. It would be ridiculous, not to mention extremely exhausting, to try to hex or curse everyone that annoyed us. We understand that people are going to occasionally disappoint us, lie and even break our hearts.

Then of course you have those that cut you off while driving, take your parking space, and do the one finger wave as the speed by. We may get angry, but we still understand that this is life and we get over it.

As for me (and many other Witches), I have no problem casting a spell, doing a work of healing, or helping someone find answers they are seeking in life. This is not seen as harmful. Or is it?

I had a young Wit (Witch In Training) tell me that, if in casting a spell, I healed someone, preventing them from dying, I was forcing my will on them; to change their life, or death, was wrong. If they were to die, I should just allow them to die.

Granted, the young person had no idea I had just been diagnosed with breast cancer and told my odds of survival were low. Plus I was going to do everything I could to beat the disease and live.

I don’t believe the powers that be, Lord or Lady would punish me, or any of those who spent days, weeks, and months working and casting to help me heal and survive. To see pain or sickness in anyone and walk away when you have the ability to ease or change it, that, to me, is wrong.

I have heard it said that we should do nothing and trust that the God and Goddess will take care of it, whatever it is. How strange, that somehow we have begun to paraphrase words from other religions as our own. I trust in the Goddess and God, for they blessed me with knowledge and the power to help, heal, and protect.

I believe they also expect me to put my energy forward. Not set on my backside and see what happens. For example, if I need money and work a money spell, I am also going to see what other ways I can bring in money. A job, yard sale, eBay, whatever it takes.

Many Witches clearly see healing magick as good magick. Yet, they are somehow uncomfortable in placing a protection around someone that is being threatened. This could fall into another category of magick. Maybe it could be defined as revenge, or somehow negative. Then it would be wrong to do.

What if it was an infant or child that was being beaten or abused? What category would the protection fall in then? I just don’t believe that the natural powers of magick should be allowed to fall into any category.

It is strange to me that we, as Witches, debate whether magick is good or bad, black or white, acceptable or not. Magick is a gift. It is not good or bad, it just is. However, magick, like any power, is only as positive or negative as those who use it. The separation between benevolent and malevolent magick depends on the Witch.

Those who hold and exercise its power rule Magick. If used for malevolence, then what you do comes from within you and it is your soul that is dark. Use it to help and benefit life, and it can only be a rainbow of light and power.

I cannot believe that the Lord and Lady would have blessed us with such an amazing gift as magick and expect us never to use it. The Ancient ones have passed down this power to us. It is a trusted knowledge. We should be honored that we have been entrusted with this gift, but we must also honor Them in the wisdom of using it wisely.

Witches also tend to be strong in our beliefs. We all have to decide within our own hearts what we personally believe in, when it comes to magick and life. Are we sincere in our beliefs or do we doubt the powers within us? What we decide can tell us who we truly are. Trusting in our own intuitions and ourselves is the first step.

My Great Grandmother shared with me her gift of magick.

For the colors of magick glimmer like the drops of rain and light held within a rainbow.

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